ǿմý Magazine Remembering Coach Paynter
Earlier this year, the college community mourned the death of former coach and dorm parent David Paynter, who elevated ǿմý’s athletic program from club to intercollegiate status.
A 1944 Wheaton graduate, Coach Paynter pitched professionally for the Hollywood Stars in the Pacific Coast League before coming to ǿմý. According to Dwight Anderson ’53, director of the freshman year, Paynter “got ǿմý sports off the ground” by initiating intercollegiate athletics. Previously, the Warriors played against Santa Barbara High School.
After leaving ǿմý, Paynter became an educational superintendent in southern California for the remainder of his career. Eventually, he retired to a ranching business with Peg Lovik Nicholas’ brother in Porterville, California.